NDTV News Coverage on Activist Misao's Interview Highlights Meitei Journalist Biasedness; Rejoinder issued

A social activist from the Kuki community, Hejang Misao, has issued a strong rejoinder to a report by NDTV, claiming that it misrepresented his remarks on the issue of separate administration for the Kuki community. Misao clarified that his discussion on a local YouTube channel, Nampi Media - in Thadou Kuki dialect, was deliberately distorted to defame him and the organization he is associated with.

Misao explained that his statements on the YouTube channel were grounded in the harsh realities faced by the Kuki community. He highlighted the inability of Kukis to access essential facilities such as the airport, hospitals, colleges, markets, and government offices in Imphal due to physical, geographical, and emotional separation. "Babies are dying, pregnant mothers lack medical care, and patients with chronic illnesses are losing their lives because they cannot access medical facilities in Imphal. Development programs are not reaching Kuki-dominated areas," he said.

In this context, Misao stated that separate administration, as demanded by the Kukis, appeared to be a practical solution for peace in Manipur. He emphasized that his comments were made in a personal capacity and not on behalf of any organization.

"I have always condemned violence," Misao said, adding that he advocates for the separate administration demand to be pursued as a public movement through democratic means, such as rallies and peaceful protests. He cited the example of the Bodo public movement to illustrate his point.

Misao also recalled being invited to Rashtrapati Bhavan by former President Ram Nath Kovind, who appreciated his work under the "Gun2Pen" initiative, which focuses on promoting constitutional values and guiding youth towards becoming conscious citizens.

Expressing dismay at the alleged twisting of his words, Misao accused certain elements of trying to stoke further unrest in Manipur and silence democratic voices. "Those who misinterpret my words are the ones who want Manipur to remain in turmoil and oppose democratic solutions to the crisis," he said.

He concluded by calling for peace and dignity for all citizens as enshrined in the Constitution, underscoring the urgent need to resolve the ongoing conflict in Manipur.

The NDTV report was written by Meitei journalist Debanish Achom, who is known for his biased reporting on the Manipur issue.

Who is Debanish Achom?

Various media outlets have been regularly reporting on the current violence in Manipur, and most of the journalists reporting on Manipur mayhem highlight the causes behind the violence, the issues that continue to plague and flare-up the current violence in a balanced and ethical manner of journalism.

However, one glaring exception to this fair and ethical journalism has been the NDTV’s reporting on Manipur violence. Almost all the NDTV news reports on Manipur violence are always one-sided and in favour of the majority Meiteis. The media house does not waste any ink to point fingers at the Kukis for any of the ills happening in Manipur.

The main reason behind this biased reporting of NDTV is its main reporter Mr. Debanish Achom, who belongs to the Meitei community. Other reporters from the other media outlets, reporting on Manipur issues, are carefully chosen by the Chief Editors from neutral communities so as to have a value-neutral ground reporting. Even when the NDTV news on Manipur has been reported by other journalists, the concerned news is finally edited by Mr. Achom, so that he can still inject his biased views in the final version of the said news. The news reports are allegedly edited by Mr. Achom Meitei, the so-called Manipur expert recruited by NDTV,  who specifically targets the Kuki community.

For instance, a thorough analysis of the articles written or edited by Mr. Achom Meitei shows that he has no hesitation in directly naming the Kuki groups or village volunteers; but he prefers to use the terms “armed group”, “village defence volunteers”, “unknown people”, “unidentified armed group” while describing the Meitei militant groups.

Even when the Arambai Tenggol were facing huge criticism from the media for their criminal activities during this ongoing civil war, Mr. Achom Meitei tried his best to valorize the unlawful organization by calling them “village defence volunteers” and “a layer of defence in the foothills". His news reports lack professionalism in the field of journalism, and acts like "paid journalism".